Master of Music Recital Event

Paul du Plessis-Smith was born and educated in Portsmouth. He began singing at the age of sixteen, first as a choral scholar and then as a lay clerk in the choir of Portsmouth Cathedral. Whilst studying in London Paul sang as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal Hampton Court Palace and was active on the London church and consort scene. Paul joined the choir of Chichester Cathedral in 2004 and in 2011 moved to Winchester to join the world-renowned choir at Winchester Cathedral.

Away from the choir stalls Paul has performed operas within arts festivals and as a soloist in all the major oratorios with groups including: The London Mozart Players, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, and The Rose Consort of Viols. Paul is also a keen song recitalist performing works by composers ranging from Byrd and Purcell to Howells and Duparc and has worked as a chorus member with various professional consort groups and ensembles around the UK and abroad.

When not performing Paul teaches privately and is also a postgraduate MMus student at the University of Southampton, continuing his vocal training with Keith Davis having previously studied with James Bowman, David Hurley and Andrew Watts.

Paul enjoys collaborating with other musicians working towards themed projects which lead to performance with occasional touring. Previous endeavours include a programme of works by Benjamin Britten to celebrate his centenary with Paul Bentley-Angel and Richard Allum. He is currently working with Claudia Grinnell (assistant organist at Winchester Cathedral) on a programme of music written for the castrati including opera arias and cantatas. They are also looking into historical performance of medieval French music.

Paul is a keen martial artist practising; Aikido, Judo, Muay Thai and Katori Shinto-Ryu (an ancient Japanese sword art). He incorporates the relaxation and breathing techniques from these into his own singing and teaching.

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